Beyond Us and Them

By Rick Bayer, March 14, 2021

Romans 1-3

Romans 3:21-24 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

John 13:34-35 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Questions for Discipleship Groups and/or Personal Study

Opener:

  • How do the non-Christians in your circle perceive Christians?
  • How did Christians develop this reputation for what we are against i.e. homosexuality?

Go to the source:

  • Read Romans 3:10-24
  • How is the Gospel “bad news” for all people?
  • How is the Gospel “good news” for all?

Live it out:

  • How do you live out on a daily basis some of the words used here i.e. righteousness, grace, and justify?
  • Do you categorize or label people as “us” versus “them”? If so, how is God asking you to repent?